One of Oaxaca's most important figures died yesterday. Arnulfo Mendonza, a good friend, a good man and a great artist, passed suddenly, leaving a stunned large extended family and even larger community of friends and admirers. I am just one of them.
Maestro Arnulfo was certainly one of Oaxaca's most famous weavers, if not
the most famous.
He was multi-faceted in his artistic endeavors, including, painting, embroidery, printing, metalwork, and design, in addition to running a renown gallery.
I spent a lot of time with the maestro this last year or so, as I was his photographer for an upcoming book about the artists of Oaxaca. The word of his death traveled quickly and many people went to Mano Magica to express condolences. Tomorrow, I along with many others will travel to his family's house in Teotitlan del Valle to pay homage and to shed a few more tears.
I think is is one of the saddest shots I have taken.
That is the hat is always wore on the foot of his casket.
2 comments:
I thank you for your graceful remarks about Arnulfo. I and my late husband, the painter Gordon Rayner, loved him very much. At one time we stayed at La Mano Magico's upstairs apartments. He was always a generous and kind soul. And a great artist.
I saw him on Feb. 23 at Tlacochahuaya and thought he looked well. This is very sad.
Kate Regan Rayner
Arnulfo was our Uncle and we are wallowing in both our sadness and our memories of eyeopening experiences with him over the many years we knew him. He will be sadly missed by our family.
Mark & Gale Gagnier
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